ROH YEAR THREE ARCHIVE: LOOKING BACK AT RING OF HONOR'S MOST CONTROVERSIAL YEAR

PWINSIDER.COM COVERAGE OF THE ROB FEINSTEIN-NBC PHILADELPHIA INCIDENT AND AFTERMATHRING OF HONOR PROMOTER CAUGHT IN UNDERAGE STING by Dave Scherer March 3, 2004

Ring of Honor promoter, and I believe at least partial owner, Rob Feinstein was one of the subjects of an undercover sting operation by PhiladelphiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Channel 10 news team to find men who use the internet to meet underage partners.

In an investigation conducted in tandem with the Perverted-Justice.com, a website that goes into online chat rooms posing as an underage child to find what they call ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“online sexual predatorsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â, Channel 10 reported that Feinstein came to the sting house to meet what he thought was a 14 year old boy that he met in a chat room. Initial footage in the piece showed Feinstein running to his car from the front door when a Channel 10 reporter instead of the boy who told Feinstein that he was home alone opened it.

The piece then went on to chronicle two other men who came to the house to meet what they thought was a 14 year old girl before finishing by mentioning Feinstein by name and showing pictures of him, calling him ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Robert FeinsteinÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and saying that he was a Langhorne businessman that promotes wrestling events. They showed a picture of him at an event from his website. They said that according to his chat log, he thought he was meeting a 14 year old boy at the home. The investigative team then went to his home and office to get a comment from him, but said that he did not make himself available.

At the end of the piece, the reporter said that some people from the piece said that they would seek help while in other cases law enforcement officials will be making arrests. The anchor promised to keep us updated on a later broadcast.

You can read a transcript of the alleged online conversation with Feinstein by clicking here.

"It is with deep regret that I step down as partner of Ring Of Honor Inc. and President of RF Video Inc.

Due to recent allegations that have been lodged against me it is in the best interest of both companies that until these allegations are resolved that I step down to avoid tarnishing the excellent reputation that has been built over the years of both companies."

RF Video and Ring Of Honor will continue normal operations without interruptions.

Christopher Daniels, who has worked regularly for Ring of Honor as a main eventer since their debut in February 2002 sent PWInsider.com the following statement in regard to the current situation surrounding ROH owner Rob Feinstein:

"In the last twenty-four hours there has been a lot of speculation about the future of Ring of Honor. I want to take this opportunity to say that I am proud of everything I've done in a Ring of Honor ring, and I will not let the actions of one man overshadow the efforts that I, and the rest of RoH's roster, have put forth to make Ring of Honor one of the most popular independent companies in the US. I will continue to support Ring of Honor and all the wrestlers who are part of this company."

Joe Mistretta sent along a link to an interview CM Punk did with ChicagoWrestling.com in regard to the Feinstein situation.

In the interview, Punk (who is head trainer of the ROH Wrestling Academy) stated, "[Feinstein's situation] doesn't affect my situation, it just infuriates me. I'm ROH, and I'll see it through....I'm pissed, I'm sad, I'm angry that all the hard work 100s of people have put into this wasn't taken into account by the actions of one selfish person. I'm one of the most selfless people here at ROH. All the boys in the back know that ROH is a family, and we look after each other. We put others before ourselves, and we will continue to do this to put out the best product we can. Bottom line: I fit in here because everybody works hard to be the best. I will continue to work hard, it's all I know."

Ring of Honor released the following statement this afternoon concerning their ownership:

March 5, 2004

Statement from Douglas I. Gentry New President and CEO RF Video, Inc. and Ring of Honor, Inc.

"As a result of a personal incident in which Mr. Feinstein was involved, both RF Video and Ring of Honor have made some necessary changes in both management and ownership of our companies. This was a personal incident and RF Video and Ring of Honor as corporations were not involved.

RF Video and Ring of Honor are family-friendly organizations. We value all of our customers, vendors and business partners. As a result, the board of directors of both corporations voted officially this afternoon to release Robert Feinstein as president and CEO of both RF Video and Ring of Honor. As of today, Mr. Feinstein is no longer officially associated with either company or any upcoming events and I was named as the new President and CEO of both corporations. He has been dissolved of all responsibility and ownership in both companies. Our corporate attorney is currently working on all the necessary paperwork. We are also exploring a new name change for RF Video, Inc. and we will have more details soon.

We want to thank you all for the many positive messages we have received from hundreds of you, including fans, talent and business partners. We are very excited about the many upcoming wrestling events in 2004! "

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